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United States Patent |
6,089,222
|
Ban
,   et al.
|
July 18, 2000
|
Viscous heater
Abstract
A viscous heater is provided which can carry out full heat exchange
securely. For instance, fins 2c through 2f are formed in a housing, and
project into a water jacket RW. Thus, a surface area of a wall surface
constituting the water jacket RW is enlarged, and a circulating fluid,
taken in through a water inlet port 8 and delivered out to an external
heating circuit through a water outlet port 9, is circulated along a
specific route.
Inventors:
|
Ban; Takashi (Kariya, JP);
Mori; Hidefumi (Kariya, JP);
Yagi; Kiyoshi (Kariya, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho (Aichi-ken, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
836186 |
Filed:
|
April 23, 1997 |
PCT Filed:
|
August 22, 1996
|
PCT NO:
|
PCT/JP96/02361
|
371 Date:
|
April 23, 1997
|
102(e) Date:
|
April 23, 1997
|
PCT PUB.NO.:
|
WO97/08001 |
PCT PUB. Date:
|
March 6, 1997 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
126/247; 122/26 |
Intern'l Class: |
F24C 009/00 |
Field of Search: |
126/247
122/26
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2090873 | Aug., 1937 | Lazarus | 122/26.
|
3075514 | Jan., 1963 | Paugh | 126/247.
|
4188996 | Feb., 1980 | Pellant et al. | 165/80.
|
4993377 | Feb., 1991 | Itakura.
| |
5034688 | Jul., 1991 | Moulene et al. | 165/80.
|
5573184 | Nov., 1996 | Martin | 122/26.
|
5875741 | Mar., 1999 | Mori et al. | 126/247.
|
5881711 | Mar., 1999 | Ban et al. | 126/247.
|
5881712 | Mar., 1999 | Mori et al. | 126/247.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
0053375 | Jun., 1982 | EP.
| |
2505996 | Nov., 1982 | FR.
| |
2-246823 | Feb., 1990 | JP.
| |
4-11716 | Jan., 1992 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Price; Carl D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A viscous heater, comprising:
a housing in which a heat-generating chamber and a radiator chamber are
formed, said radiator chamber being adjacent to said heat-generating
chamber and having an inlet port and an outlet port for circulating a
circulating fluid through said radiator chamber;
a driving shaft held rotatably to said housing by way of a bearing
apparatus;
a rotor disposed in said heat-generating chamber for rotation by said
driving shaft; and
a space between a wall surface of said heat-generating chamber and an outer
surface of said rotor for containing viscous fluid for generating heat
upon rotation of said rotating rotor;
said housing having at least one fin projecting into said radiator chamber
to enlarge the surface area of a wall surface constituting said radiator
chamber, said fin comprising a plurality of upright walls extending along
paths subdividing said radiator chamber into radially spaced branched
fluid passages formed along parallel arcuate paths, wherein the widths of
said fluid passages are expanded on the outer peripheral side of the
passages, to circulate said circulating fluid between said inlet and
outlet ports.
2. A viscous heater according to claim 1, wherein said fin projects from
said wall surface of said housing, and has a leading end spaced from all
other wall surfaces of said housing.
3. A viscous heater according to claim 2, wherein said radiator chamber
includes a front radiator chamber adjacent the front of said
heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber adjacent the rear of
said heat-generating chamber, and said circulating fluid, when taken in
through said inlet port, is divided into the front radiator chamber and
the rear radiator chamber.
4. A viscous heater comprising:
a housing in which a heat-generating chamber, and a radiator chamber are
formed, said radiator chamber being adjacent to said heat-generating
chamber and having inlet and outlet ports for circulating fluid through
said radiator chamber;
a driving shaft held rotatable to said housing by way of a bearing
apparatus:
a rotor disposed in said heat-generating chamber for rotation by said
driving shaft; and
a viscous fluid interposed in a space between a wall surface of said
heat-generating chamber and an outer surface of said rotor for generating
heat upon rotation of said rotating rotor,
wherein a fin is formed in said housing and projects into said radiator
chamber to enlarge the surface area of a wall surface constituting said
radiator chamber, said fin subdividing said radiator chamber into branched
fluid passages for the circulating fluid between said inlet and outlet
ports,
said radiator chamber including a front radiator chamber adjacent the front
of said heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber adjacent the
rear of said heat-generating chamber, and said circulating fluid, when
taken in through said inlet port, is divided into the front radiator
chamber and the rear radiator chamber.
5. A viscous heater according to claim 3, wherein said fin has an equal
surface in said front radiator chamber and said rear radiator chamber.
6. A viscous heater comprising:
a housing in which a heat-generating chamber, and a radiator chamber are
formed, said radiator chamber being adjacent to said heat-generating
chamber and having inlet and outlet ports for circulating fluid through
said radiator chamber;
a driving shaft held rotatably to said housing by way of a bearing
apparatus;
a rotor disposed in said heat-generating chamber for rotation by said
driving shaft; and
a space between a wall surface of said heat-generating chamber and an outer
surface of said rotor for containing viscous fluid for generating heat
upon rotation of said rotating rotor; and
a fin projecting from said housing into said radiator chamber to enlarge
the surface area of a wall surface constituting said radiator chamber,
said fin subdividing said radiator chamber into branched fluid passages
for the circulating fluid between said inlet and outlet ports,
said radiator chamber including a front radiator chamber adjacent the front
of said heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber adjacent the
rear of said heat-generating chamber, and said circulating fluid, when
taken in through said inlet port, is divided equally into the front
radiator chamber and the rear radiator chamber.
7. A viscous heater according to claim 6, wherein said housing further
comprises a flow divider for dividing said circulating fluid into said
front radiator chamber and said rear radiator chamber, the flow divider
having a configuration free from exhibiting resistance.
8. A viscous heater according to claim 6, wherein said fin has an equal
surface in said front radiator chamber and said rear radiator chamber.
9. A viscous heater according to claim 1, wherein said inlet port and said
outlet port are formed in the same surface.
10. A viscous heater according to claim 1, wherein said radiator chamber
includes a front radiator chamber adjacent the front of said
heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber adjacent the rear of
said heat-generating chamber, and said circulating fluid, when taken in
through said inlet port, is divided into the front radiator chamber and
the rear radiator chamber.
11. A viscous heater according to claim 3, wherein said radiator chamber
includes a front radiator chamber adjacent the front of said
heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber adjacent the rear of
said heat-generating chamber, and said circulating fluid, when taken in
through said inlet port, is divided into the front radiator chamber and
the rear radiator chamber.
12. A viscous heater comprising:
a housing in which a heat-generating chamber, and a radiator chamber are
formed, said radiator chamber being adjacent to said heat-generating
chamber and having inlet and outlet ports for circulating fluid through
said radiator chamber;
a driving shaft held rotatably to said housing by way of a bearing
apparatus;
a rotor disposed in said heat-generating chamber for rotation by said
driving shaft; and
a space between a wall surface of said heat-generating chamber and an outer
surface of said rotor for containing viscous fluid for generating heat
upon rotation of said rotating rotor; and
a fin projecting from said housing into said radiator chamber to enlarge
the surface area of a wall surface constituting said radiator chamber,
said fin subdividing said radiator chamber into branched fluid passages
for the circulating fluid between said inlet and outlet ports,
wherein said inlet port and said outlet port are disposed in the same
surface, next to each other.
13. A viscous heater according to claim 12, wherein said fluid-passages are
formed along parallel arcuate paths, and the width of said fluid passages
are expanded on the outer peripheral side of said passages.
14. A viscous heater according to claim 13, wherein said radiator chamber
includes a front radiator chamber adjacent the front of said
heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber adjacent the rear of
said heat-generating chamber, and said circulating fluid, when taken in
through said inlet port, is divided into the front radiator chamber and
the rear radiator chamber.
15. A viscous heater according to claim 14, wherein said housing is
provided with a flow divider for dividing said circulating fluid into said
front radiator chamber and said rear radiator chamber, and the flow
divider has a configuration free from exhibiting resistance.
16. A viscous heater according to claim 14, wherein said fin has an equal
surface in said front radiator chamber and said rear radiator chamber.
17. A viscous heater according to claim 8, wherein said fin has an equal
surface in said front radiator chamber and said rear radiator chamber.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a viscous heater in which a viscous fluid
is caused to generate heat by shearing. The resulting heat is utilized as
a thermal source for heating by carrying out heat exchange with a
circulating fluid which circulates in a radiator chamber.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No.
2-246,823, a viscous heater is disclosed which is utilized as a heating
apparatus for a vehicle. In this viscous heater, a front housing and a
rear housing are disposed so as to face with each other, and are fastened
by through bolts, thereby forming a heat-generating chamber and a water
jacket therein. The water jacket is disposed around an outer region of the
heat-generating chamber. In the water jacket, circulating water is
circulated so that it is taken in through a water inlet port, and that it
is delivered out to an external heating circuit through a water outlet
port. In the front housing, a driving shaft is held rotatably via a
bearing apparatus. To the driving shaft, a rotor is fixed so that it can
rotate in the heat-generating chamber. A wall surface of the
heat-generating chamber and an outer surface of the rotor constitute
labyrinth grooves which approach to each other. In a space between the
wall surface of the heat-generating chamber and the outer surface of the
rotor, a viscous fluid, such as a silicone oil, is interposed.
In the viscous heater built into a vehicle heating apparatus, the rotor
rotates in the heat-generating chamber when the driving shaft is driven by
an engine. Accordingly, the viscous fluid is caused to generate heat by
shearing in the space between the wall surface of the heat-generating
chamber and the outer surface of the rotor. The thus generated heat is
heat-exchanged to the circulating water in the water jacket. The heated
circulating water is used at the heating circuit to heat a vehicle.
Moreover, in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication (KOKAI) No.
4-11,716, a viscous heater is disclosed in which fins are projected into a
water jacket. In this viscous heater, heat exchange can be carried out
with a relatively high efficiency, because the fins enlarge a surface area
of a wall surface constituting the water jacket.
However, in the viscous heater set forth in Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication (KOKAI) No. 2-246,823, heat exchange cannot necessarily be
carried out fully, because the surface area of the wall surface
constituting the water jacket is relatively small, and because there is a
fear of short-circuiting or retaining the circulating water in the water
jacket.
Likewise, in the viscous heater set forth in Japanese Unexamined Utility
Model Publication (KOKAI) No. 4-11,716, heat exchange cannot necessarily
be carried out fully, because there is a fear of short-circuiting or
retaining the circulating water in the water jacket.
It is therefore an assignment to the present invention to provide a viscous
heater which can carry out full heat exchange securely.
Measures for Solving the Assignment
A viscous heater in accordance with the invention comprises:
a housing in which a heat-generating chamber, and a radiator chamber are
formed, the radiator chamber neighboring the heat-generating chamber and
circulating a circulating fluid therein;
a driving shaft held rotatably to the housing by way of a bearing
apparatus;
a rotor disposed in the heat-generating chamber rotatably by the driving
shaft; and
a viscous fluid interposed in a space between a wall surface of the
heat-generating chamber and an outer surface of the rotor, and caused to
generate heat by the rotating rotor;
wherein a fin is formed in the housing, and projects into the radiator
chamber to enlarge a surface area of a wall surface constituting the
radiator chamber and to circulate the circulating fluid, taken in through
a first port and delivered out to an external heating circuit through a
second port, along a specific route.
In the viscous heater set forth in claim 1, the fin projects into the
radiator chamber not only to enlarge a surface area of a wall surface
constituting the radiator chamber, but also to circulate the circulating
fluid, taken in through a first port, along a specific route in the
radiator chamber and to deliver the circulating fluid out to an external
heating circuit through a second port. Thus, there is no fear of
short-circuiting or retaining the circulating water in the radiator
chamber, and consequently full heat exchange can be carried out securely.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the fin of the viscous
heater projects from a wall-surface side of the housing, and in that a
leading end of the fin is kept from contacting with another wall-surface
side of the housing.
In the viscous heater, the fin is kept from contacting with another
wall-surface side of the housing. Accordingly, the heat is less likely to
transfer directly from an wall-surface side of the housing to another
wall-surface side thereof Thus, the heat is radiated less off from the
housing to the outside.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the fin of the viscous
heater includes a plurality of upright walls which extend in a direction
of flow, and in that a fluid passage disposed in the radiator chamber is
divided by the upright walls to have a fluid-passage width which is
expanded more on an outer peripheral side thereof.
In the viscous heater, the flows of the circulating fluid, divided by the
fluid passage branched in the radiator chamber, can circulate at a
substantially equal flow velocity in the radiator chamber. Consequently,
efficient heat exchange can be carried out in the outer peripheral region
of the rotor where the heat is evolved considerably.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the radiator chamber of the
viscous heater includes a front radiator chamber neighboring in front of
the heat-generating chamber, and a rear radiator chamber neighboring in
rear of the heat-generating chamber, and in that the circulating fluid,
taken in through the first port, is divided equally into the front
radiator chamber and the rear radiator chamber.
In the viscous heater, the circulating fluid is divided equally into the
front radiator chamber and the rear radiator chamber. Accordingly,
effective heat exchange can be carried out.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the housing of the viscous
heater is provided with a flow divider for dividing the circulating fluid
into the front radiator chamber and the rear radiator chamber, and in that
the flow divider has a configuration free from exhibiting resistance.
In the viscous heater the flow divider divides the circulating fluid into
the front radiator chamber and the rear radiator chamber. At this moment,
the flow divider has a configuration free from exhibiting resistance.
Consequently, the pressure loss is small in the passage, and the flow
velocity of the circulating fluid is less likely to decrease in the entire
heating circuit. Thus, the viscous heater is good in terms of
heat-exchanging ability.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the fin of the viscous
heater has an equal surface in the front radiator chamber and the rear
radiator chamber.
Suppose heat-exchanging rates differing in the front and rear radiator
chambers cause the temperature difference in the circulating fluid flowing
in the front radiator chamber and the rear radiator chamber. When the heat
generation is equal on the front and rear surfaces of the rotor, heat
transfer is carried out between the front and rear radiator chambers.
Accordingly, thermal loss arises during the heat transfer. In this
respect, in the viscous heater the heat-exchanging rates are equal in the
front and rear radiator chambers, and there is no temperature difference
in the circulating fluid flowing in the front radiator chamber and the
rear radiator chamber. Thus, the viscous heater is less likely to cause
the thermal loss.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the first port and the
second port of the viscous heater are formed in an identical surface.
In the viscous heater, the first port and the second port are formed in an
identical surface. Consequently, the viscous heater can be manufactured
readily, and is good in terms of boardability on a vehicle, or the like.
A viscous heater is also characterized in that the first port and the
second port of the viscous heater are disposed next to each other.
In the viscous heater the first port and the second port are disposed next
to each other. Accordingly, the viscous heater is much better in terms of
boardability on a vehicle, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a viscous heater of a First
Preferred Embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the viscous heater of the
First Preferred Embodiment.
FIG. 3 is concerned with the viscous heater of the First Preferred
Embodiment, and is a schematic diagram for illustrating a flow of
circulating water therein.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a viscous heater of a Second
Preferred Embodiment.
FIG. 5 is concerned with the viscous heater of the Second Preferred
Embodiment, and is a schematic diagram for illustrating a flow of
circulating water therein.
FIG. 6 is concerned with a viscous heater of a First Modified Version, and
is a cross-sectional view of a flow divider thereof.
FIG. 7 is concerned with a viscous heater of a Second Modified Version, and
is a cross-sectional view of a flow divider thereof.
FIG. 8 is concerned with a viscous heater of a Third Modified Version, and
is a cross-sectional view of a flow divider thereof.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The First and Second Preferred Embodiments embodying the present invention
set forth in the appended claims will be hereinafter described with
reference to the drawings.
(First Preferred Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the viscous heater, a front housing 1, a rear
plate 2 and a rear housing body 3 are overlapped and fastened by a
plurality of through bolts 5 with a gasket 4 interposed between the rear
plate 2 and the rear housing body 3. Further, a concavity is formed in a
rear-end surface of the front housing 1, and forms a heat-generating
chamber 7 together with a flat front-end surface of the rear plate 2.
Furthermore, a rear-end surface of the rear plate 2 and an inner surface
of the rear housing body 3 form a rear water jacket RW. The rear water
jacket RW works as the rear radiator chamber neighboring the
heat-generating chamber 7.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, in an outer region on a rear surface of the rear
housing body 3, a water inlet port 8 and a water outlet port 9 are formed
next to each other. The water inlet port 8 works as the first port for
taking in circulating water, operating as the circulating fluid, from an
external heating circuit (not shown). The water outlet port 9 works as the
second port for delivering the circulating water out to the heating
circuit. The water inlet port 8 and the water outlet port 9 are
communicated with the rear water jacket RW. Thus, in the viscous heater,
the water inlet port 8 and the water outlet port 9 are formed next to each
other in the identical surface. As a result, the viscous heater can be
manufactured readily, and is good in terms of boardability on a vehicle.
On a rear-end surface of the rear plate 2, a cylindrical convexity 2a is
protruded in a central area, and a partition wall 2b, which extends from
the convexity 2a in a radial direction, is protruded between the water
inlet port 8 and the water outlet port 9. Moreover, on the rear-end
surface of the rear plate 2, fins 2c through 2f are protruded in an axial
direction. The fins 2c through 2f include four rows of upright walls which
extend like an arc around the convexity 2a from an area adjacent to the
water inlet port 8 to another area adjacent to the water outlet port 9. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the leading end of the convexity 2a, the partition
wall 2b and the fins 2c through 2f contacts with the inner surface of the
rear housing body 3. Accordingly, in the viscous heater, heat is likely to
be transmitted by the direct contact between the rear plate 2 and the rear
housing body 3.
In addition, a shaft-sealing apparatus 10, and a bearing apparatus 11 are
disposed in the front housing 1. The shaft-sealing apparatus 10 neighbors
with the heat-generating chamber 7. By way of the shaft-sealing apparatus
10 and the bearing apparatus 11, a driving shaft 12 is held rotatably. At
the trailing end of the driving shaft 12, a plate-shaped rotor 13 is
press-fitted so that it can rotate in the heat-generating chamber 7. A
silicone oil, working as the viscous fluid, is interposed in the space
between the wall surface of the heat-generating chamber 7 and the outer
surface of the rotor 13. Thus, in the viscous heater, there is no fear of
leaking the silicone oil to the outside, because the shaft-sealing
apparatus 10 is disposed between the heat-generating chamber 7 and the
bearing apparatus 11 in the front housing 1. At the leading end of the
driving shaft 12, a pulley 15 is fixed by a bolt 14. The pulley 15 is
rotated by a vehicle engine via a belt.
In the viscous heater built-into a vehicle heating apparatus, the rotor 13
is rotated in the heat-generating chamber 7 when the driving shaft 12 is
driven by the engine by way of the pulley 15. Accordingly, the silicone
oil is sheared in the space between the wall surface of the
heat-generating chamber 7 and the outer surface of the rotor 13, thereby
generating heat. The resulting heat is heat-exchanged to the circulating
water flowing in the rear water jacket RW, and the thus heated circulating
water is used for heating a vehicle in the heating circuit.
At this moment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the circulating water is taken in
into a right-side chamber RW.sub.R, viewed from the rear inside of the
rear water jacket RW, through the water inlet port 8. The circulating
water then follows the five paths or routes which are formed by the
convexity 2a, the partition wall 2b and the fins 2c through 2f and arrives
at a left-side chamber RWL, viewed from the rear of the rear water jacket
RW. Eventually, the circulating water is delivered out to the heating
circuit through the water outlet port 9. Thus, in the viscous heater, the
surface area of the wall surface constituting the rear water jacket RW is
enlarged comparatively. In addition, in the viscous heater, there is no
fear of short-circuiting or retaining the circulating water in the rear
water jacket RW, because the circulating water, taken in through the water
inlet port 8, is circulated in a peripheral direction in the rear water
jacket RW, and is delivered out to the external heating circuit through
the water outlet port 9. Hence, full heat exchange can be carried out
securely.
As a result, the viscous heater is capable of carrying out full heat
exchange.
Note that, instead of the pulley 15, an electromagnetic clutch can be
employed to intermittently drive the driving shaft 12.
(Second Preferred Embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the viscous heater, a front plate 22 and a
rear plate 23 are accommodated in a cup-shaped front housing body 21.
Moreover, at an end of the front housing body 21, a plate-shaped rear
housing body 24 is connected by bolts 26 via an O-ring 25.
In a rear-end surface of the front plate 22, a concavity is provided, and
forms a heat-generating chamber 27 together with a flat front-end surface
of the rear plate 23. Around the heating chamber 27, there is disposed an
O-ring 28. Further, on the central portion of the front plate 22, there is
projected a boss 22d which is made integral with a fin 22c later
described. In an outer peripheral surface of the boss 22d, there is
disposed an O-ring 29 between the front housing body 21 and the boss 22d.
The front-end surface of the front plate 22 and the inner surface of the
front housing body 21 form a front water jacket FW. The front water jacket
FW works as the front radiator chamber neighboring in front of the
heat-generating chamber 27. Furthermore, on the central portion of the
rear housing body 24 as well, there is projected a boss 24a. In an outer
peripheral surface of the boss 24a, there is disposed an O-ring 30 between
the outer peripheral surface of the boss 24a and a fin 23c of the rear
plate 23 later described. The rear-end surface of the rear plate 23 and
the inner surface of the rear housing body 24 form a rear water jacket RW.
The rear water jacket RW works as the rear radiator chamber neighboring in
rear of the heat-generating chamber 27.
Around the front plate 22, there is projected a supporter wall 22f
forwardly in an axial direction. In the supporter wall 22f; an opening 22e
and another similar opening (not shown) are drilled through in a radial
direction. The opening 22e communicates with a water inlet port 31 later
described. The another opening communicates with a water outlet port 32
(see FIG. 5.). Moreover, around the rear plate 23 as well, there is
projected a supporter wall 23f rearwardly in an axial direction. In the
supporter wall 23f as well, an opening 23e and another similar opening
(not shown) are drilled through in a radial direction. The opening 23e
communicates with the water inlet port 31. The other opening communicates
with the water outlet port 32. The rims of the front plate 22 and rear
plate 23, disposed between the opening 22e and 23e, constitute a flow
divider 40. On the flow divider 40, there are formed chamfered portions
22h, 23h on the side of the water inlet port 31. The chamfered portions
22h, 23h work as the configuration free from exhibiting resistance. Note
that the portion around the another openings communicating with the water
outlet port 32 is constructed likewise.
Further, on the front-end surface of the front plate 22, fins 22a through
22c (Note that, however, the fin 22c are formed as a ring shape to be
integral with the boss 22d.) are protruded in an axial direction in the
front water jacket FW. The fins 22a through 22d include three rows of
upright walls which extend like an arc around an axis inside the supporter
wall 22f. Likewise, on the rear-end surface of the rear plate 23, fins 23a
through 23c (Note that, however, the fin 23c is formed as a ring shape.)
are protruded in an axial direction in the rear water jacket RW. The fins
23a through 23c include three rows of upright walls which extend like an
arc around an axis inside the supporter wall 23f. Note that the leading
ends of the fins 22a through 22c are not brought into contact with the
inner surface of the front housing body 21, and that the leading ends of
the fins 23a through 23c are not brought into contact with the inner
surface of the rear housing body 24. Consequently, in this viscous heater,
heat is less likely to be transferred directly from the front plate 22 to
the front housing body 21, and is less likely to be transferred directly
from the rear plate 23 to the rear housing body 24. Thus, the heat is
radiated less from the housing to the outside. Furthermore, as the flow
passages (specific routes) of the water jackets FW, RW approach the outer
peripheral side, the flow-passage widths thereof are enlarged by the fins
22a through 22c, and by the fins 23a through 23c. Moreover, the surface
areas of the fins 22a through 22c are made equal to those of the fins 23a
through 23c.
In addition, between the rear plate 23 and the rear housing body 24, there
is formed a reservoir chamber SR by the inner surface of the fin 23c and
the rear housing body 24. A supplier hole 23g and a collector hole (not
shown) are drilled through the rear plate 23 in a longitudinal direction,
and are communicated with the reservoir chamber SR.
On an upper side of the peripheral surface of the front housing body 21,
there are formed the water inlet port 31 and the water outlet port 32 (see
FIG. 5.) next to each other. The water inlet port 31 works as the first
port for taking in circulating water, operating as the circulating fluid,
from an external heating circuit (not shown). The water outlet port 32
works as the second port for delivering the circulating water out to the
heating circuit. The water inlet port 31 and the water outlet port 32 are
communicated with the front water jacket FW and the rear water jacket RW
by way of the openings 22e, 23e, and the like. Thus, in the viscous
heater, the water inlet port 31 and the water outlet port 32 are formed
next to each other in the identical surface. As a result, the viscous
heater can be manufactured readily, and is good in terms of suitability of
installation on a vehicle.
In addition, in the boss 22d of the front plate 22, there is disposed a
bearing apparatus 33 which includes a built-in shaft-sealing apparatus. In
the front housing 21, there is disposed a bearing apparatus 34. By way of
the bearing apparatuses 33, 34, a driving shaft 35 is held rotatably. At
the trailing end of the driving shaft 35, a plate-shaped rotor 36 is
press-fitted so that it can rotate in the heat-generating chamber 27. A
communication hole 36a is drilled through the rotor 36 in a longitudinal
direction. In the space between the wall surface of the heat-generating
chamber 27 and the outer surface of the rotor 36, there is interposed a
silicone oil working as the viscous fluid. At the leading end of the
driving shaft 35, similarly to the First Preferred Embodiment, there is
fixed a pulley (not shown). The pulley is rotated by a vehicle engine via
a belt.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the thus constructed viscous heater, the flow
divider 40 divides the flow of the circulating water, taken in through the
water inlet port 31, into the front water jacket FW and the rear water
jacket RW equally. On this occasion, the pressure loss is small in the
passages, and the flow velocity of the circulating fluid is less likely to
drop in the entire heating circuit, because the chamfered portions 22h,
23h are formed on the flow divider 40. Then, by way of the openings 22e,
23e, the circulating water is divided into the front water jacket FW and
the rear water jacket RW equally. Thereafter, the equally-divided parts of
the circulating water are circulated by the fins 22a through 22c, and by
the fins 23a through 23c at an equal flow velocity in the front and rear
water jackets FW, RW, respectively, and are finally delivered out to the
outside heating circuit through the water outlet port 32. In this case,
the heat generation is carried out in the outer peripheral area of the
rotor 36 considerably. However, in the outer-peripheral-area flow passages
whose flow-passage widths are enlarged, heat exchange can be carried out
by the enlarged surface area in proportion to the heat generation.
As a result, in the thus constructed viscous heater as well, effective heat
exchange can be carried out. Unless otherwise specified, the Second
Preferred Embodiment operates and produces advantages in the same manner
as the First Preferred Embodiment.
(First Modified Version)
In the First Modified Version, a flow divider 41 shown in FIG. 6 is
employed. On the flow divider 41, there are formed arcs 22i, 23i on the
side of the water inlet port 31. The arcs 22i, 23i work as the
configuration free from exhibiting resistance. Note that the portion
around the another openings communicating with the water outlet port 32 is
constructed likewise. Unless otherwise specified, the arrangements of the
First Modified Version are identical with those of the Second Preferred
Embodiment.
The viscous heater of the First Modified Version can also operate and
produce advantages in the same manner as the Second Preferred Embodiment.
(Second Modified Version)
In the Second Modified Version, a flow divider 42 shown in FIG. 7 is
employed. On the flow divider 42, there are formed tapered portions 22j,
23j on the side of the water inlet port 31. The tapered portions 22j, 23j
work as the configuration free from exhibiting resistance. Note that the
portion around the another openings communicating with the water outlet
port 32 is constructed likewise. Unless otherwise specified, the
arrangements of the Second Modified Version are identical with those of
the Second Preferred Embodiment.
The viscous heater of the Second Modified Version can also operate and
produce advantages in the same manner as the Second Preferred Embodiment.
(Third Modified Version)
In the Third Modified Version, a flow divider 43 shown in FIG. 8 is
employed. The flow divider 43 is formed by protruding part of the front
plate 22 and the rear plate 23, disposed between the openings 22e and 23e,
in an outer peripheral direction. On the flow divider 43, there are formed
tapered portions 22k, 23k on the side of the water inlet port 31. The
tapered portions 22k, 23k work as the configuration free from exhibiting
resistance. Note that the portion around the another openings
communicating with the water outlet port 32 is constructed likewise.
Unless otherwise specified, the arrangements of the Third Modified Version
are identical with those of the Second Preferred Embodiment.
The viscous heater of the Third Modified Version can also operate and
produce advantages in the same manner as the Second Preferred Embodiment.
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